Syracuse Basketball: Center Chinonso Obokoh Picks the Orange

Chinonso Obokoh, a 6'9" center from Rochester, New York, committed to Syracuse Monday night, according to Alex Kline of TheRecruitScoop.com. Obokoh made his decision after visiting Syracuse for its first practice of the season.

Obokoh told Mike McAllister of CuseNation.com about his commitment, "I would say that I felt at home at Syracuse. Just everything when I got there. It was all positive. The coaches and the players. It felt right."

The 3-star prospect is considered the 26th-best center in the 2013 class by Scout.com. He picked Syracuse over several D-I schools including Temple, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Texas, Notre Dame and Villanova.

Obokoh's physical tools are the basis for his value. He's an excellent athlete at the power forward spot and has the size and length necessary to move over to the center position if necessary. He's got good feet and mobility for the frontcourt.

The Nigeria native has only lived in the United States for three years. He averaged 14.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game last year as a junior at Bishop Kearney High School.

Obokoh's high school coach, Jon Boon, told Donna Ditota of the Post-Standardabout his star center, "Defensively, he's unbelievable. He has great timing on blocking shots and running the floor. And he can guard on the perimeter. Offensively, he's still a work in progress. He's gotten a ton better, but he still has a ways to go."

Obokoh joins 5-star point guard Tyler Ennis in Syracuse's 2013 class. The Orange will also have Duke transfer Mike Gbinije, who will be eligible for the 2013-14 season.

Head coach Jim Boeheim and his coaching staff are still looking for a couple more recruits to close out the class. Five-star power forward Jermaine Lawrence is planing on making a visit in the next couple of months. SU is also in the running for small forward Tyler Roberson; Roberson made a visit to Syracuse earlier this month.

Coach Boeheim loves to recruit the New York area, where there are plenty of quality prospects to choose from.